Colleen Ann VanderPloeg, age 72, of Plainwell, died Monday, Dec. 7.
Colleen, a 1966 graduate of Wayland High School, was active with Class of 1966 reunion activities. She was chairwoman of the class 50th reunion in 2016. She also was responsible for a number of small class reunion gatherings at the bar and restaurant in Hilliards.
Colleen worked as a cashier at the Wayland Harding’s Market from 1999 until her retirement in 2017.
Her father, Donald, was president of the Wayland Board of Education.
She is survived by her children, Joe (Michelle Wells) VanderPloeg and Michelle VanderPloeg; granddaughter Chelsea Wells; three great grandchildren; her brother Wayne Lapham and sister Lisa (Joe Orsborn) Lapham and nephew Zachary Orsborn and niece Kallie Orsborn and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Donald and Beatrice Lapham.
Services will be held 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home, 312 N. Main, Wayland with a time to visit with family from 1:30 p.m. until time of funeral.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Dear Joe, Michelle, Lisa, Wayne and families,
We are so sorry for your loss of your dear mom, sister and our cousin, Colleen. She always found a way to see the bright side and the best in people. And I will forever remember the cool cars she drove as a teen. When I see a Corvair, I think of her! Bless her. Your Nickels cousins send our love and prayers.